Midweek: The Prodigal Son (Part One)

Who doesn't know the story? Maybe some of us know someone who has lived it. The son (or daughter) who chooses to go their own way, leaving home and giving a big fat filthy gesture to parents. But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. Let's start with some context.

In Luke 15:11-24, Jesus tells a story, a parable, meant to teach truth. This parable is Jesus' response to the snide comments whispered by hypocrites: they'd been carefully watching, looking to accuse this new, popular, authoritative Rabbi. He receives sinners and eats with them, they murmured (Luke 15:2). Jesus then tells of the lengths to which His Heavenly Father will go to rescue even one lost soul. But this specific parable, The Prodigal Son, ends with something of a twist; a brother who does not know the lavish mercy of his father, blind to all he has been granted and begrudging his own bother of favor. A twist that exposed an additional truth about the hypocrites themselves. For now, however, let's look at some of the details of the parable itself.

The youngest son demands his share of his inheritance. I've heard some pastors point out, inheritance is shared when the benefactor is dead, and by reason of logic, this son was "wishing" his father dead or stamping his father "DECEASED." I don't know ancient Hebrew culture; that may be the case; but I do know self-centeredness and addiction. All the egoist sees is what he wants, what he believes will ease the pain or longing. It's not that he (or she) wishes evil on anyone or hurts others with malice aforethought, but when faced with the choice to self-medicate or do the right thing, they will choose self-medication at any cost; obvious and severe consequences (even to themselves) will be ignored. Instant gratification over and above what could be a lifetime of outcomes. Thus was "the prodigal" in Jesus' story. 

So, too, was Esau, son of Isaac, brother of Jacob. Esau was dealing with a growling belly and a weary spirit. A blessing on some far-off day was of little use to filling empty places in that very moment. It had to be converted into physical currency if it was to satisfy the lust of the flesh. In Esau's case, it had to be exchanged for stew; in the prodigal's case, we are told that after his father divided his living between his sons (both sons, by the way), days later, the younger son left. Why not immediately? Esau made the trade and ate the stew. Why, after he received his due, did the prodigal not immediately take flight? The Complete Jewish Bible says, As soon as he could convert his share into cash, the younger son left home (v.13). Interesting detail. His share, most likely, would have been given to him in the form of land and livestock. What could he do with that but stay right where he was? That wasn't his plan. Or was it? We assume he wanted to leave because that's what he winds up doing; but was it? Jesus never says the young man's intent was to venture off. Jesus says the young man wanted his blessing right then and there. Period. 

And that's where we'll stop today. So many of God's children find life in this world to be difficult, even unbearable. We want our bellies filled, our houses comfortable, our clothing modern, our lives exciting, and our ears tickled. We have pain. We have longings. And we want them met. Right here, right now. We cast our gaze across the horizon to the lives of others and the expectations of culture, and we cry out, Why not me, God? Why not now? The promise of blessing on some far-off day is of little use in filling our present empty spaces. So, we seek gratification in things that God has been graciously, mercifully withholding; we take the blessing rather than receive it. Or, we manufacture our own "blessing" in the things of this world. Before you know it, we are far from home. That may never have been out intent; we simply wanted an easier, less painful life. But a passable substitute has come, if only for a time, and it has carried us away from our Father and away from where we genuinely belong. God, in His wisdom, is drawing us to Himself even as He is granting us the things which will lead us away. He knows that without Him, we will never be truly satisfied, and He keeps His eyes peeled, awaiting our return. 

See you next week!